Abstract:

1. Introduction
Internationally there has been a paradigm shift towards a developmental and preventative approach in social work. Also, the cost-effectiveness of programs aimed at community development has been noted.
2. Goal of the study
The main aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a life skills program aimed at personal / community enrichment through the extension of self-knowledge according to the themes of temperament, early childhood experiences, transactional analysis, self-presentation and cognitive reconstruction and presented according to experiential instruction methods.
3. Objectives of the study
In order to come to a conclusion regarding the impact of the abovementioned program, the following objectives were identified:
- Has the program empowered the respondents to enhance their self-knowledge;
- Has the program led the respondents to a better understanding of others;
- Has the knowledge created a willingness to undertake necessary adjustments;
- Respondents’ impressions of the program and the presentation thereof.
4. Methodology
A qualitative grounded evaluative research design was used for the study. An availability sampling method was used: In this case the attendants at a workshop where the abovementioned program was implemented.
5. Data collection methods
The following methods of data gathering were implemented:
- The respondents had to give feedback on what they have realized or learned about each theme.
- The theme on self-presentation was introduced by a brainstorming session on which aspects the respondents regarded as important aspects by which first impressions are formed.
- Each respondent had to complete a questionnaire (enclosed as annexure 3) at the end of the workshop.
- The results were compared with the literature overview.
6. Limitations of study
- The researcher had no control over whether the faxed invitations to the workshop (enclosed as annexure 1) actually reached the intended population or not.
- Although the invitation was intended for adults as well as teenagers, eventually only one teenager and nine adults were included in the sample.
- The category: “Other”, was not included to the biographic questions. Because it was a small group which was known to the researcher, the question on marital status could be rectified and: “Divorced and remarried”, could be included for analysis.
- The fact that some of the open ended questions in the questionnaire (annexure 3) didn’t require the respondents to motivate their answers, left a gap in the interpretation of those answers.
- After the respondents named so many aspects attributing to first impressions, the researcher assumed that the topic was known so well, that the theoretic information wasn’t presented in full. When the results were analyzed, this seemed to be a wrong assumption, as more discussion was requested on this topic.
- Despite the small sample, the results have been confirmed by the literature overview, which means that literature based on Western research also apply to the Afrikaans speaking case sample.
7. Goal achievements
The abovementioned goals were conclusively achieved and can be summarized as follows:
The life skills program for personal / community development presented according to experiential instruction methods and aiming at the extension of self-knowledge according to the themes of temperament, early childhood experiences, transactional analysis, self-presentation and cognitive reconstruction, has indeed:
- Led to the enhancement of the respondents’ self-knowledge;
- Created a better understanding for others;
- Created a willingness to make adjustments;
- As a whole been evaluated positively: As a dynamic, organized, understandable and effective presentation.
8. Recommendations
The following recommendations were made:
8.1. Methodology
- The program can be marketed as a personal-, marriage- family- or community enrichment program, and even as an employee assistance program (EAP).
- Personal invitations, preparation and screening are recommended.
- The questionnaire for completion at the end of the program, should be adapted to eliminate the limitations that were identified.
8.2 Program content and presentation
- The program content can be perceived as effective for enhancing self-knowledge, to create a better understanding for others, as well as creating a willingness for change and adaptations.
- Experiential instruction methods contribute to the success of the program and should be retained.
- Do not deviate from the intended theory included in the program.
- The participant manual (annexure 2) is a resourceful device which is also useful for future reference.
- Permanent transparencies can be added to the program to enhance the efficiency thereof.
- The five themes lend itself for presentation during five group sessions.
8.3 With regards to social work profession
- This study proved that the case sample were more inclined to change and for adaptations once they got to know themselves better. Thus the social worker should experience less resentment or poor/lack of co-operation with helping programs. Indeed, the more the client gets to know himself, the more inclined should he be to accept responsibility for his own growth as a person in his social environment.
- It would be unethical to leave a client who is ready for change and growth without further directions. Therefore the social worker should be capable to either present follow-up programs or to refer appropriately.